Stepladder



March 5,1946, F. M. SPAYD 2,396,028 STEIILADDER- v Filed April 17, 1942 2 She e ts -Sheet 1 n nae mvurok A FRED M. SPAYD A TTORNEY I 74 H P I Patented Mar. 5, 1946 STATES PATENT l CE V SEE-PLADDER Free M. S'payd; VarrWert, Ohiogassignor to. F; M; S'payd" Engineering Corporation; Dayton; Ghio, I a-eorporation of: Ohio Application. Aprill'i, 1942, Serial No. 439,349

5 Claims:

This invention relates to step. ladders and more particularly to one'which can be conveniently used, on' stair steps; and; other uneven places where the usual; stepladder cannot be'used.

Thestep. ladders-now; on the-market cannot be used; on stair: steps or; on. any base; foundation or. ground. where). one part; of the. same is substantially-higherc than the; other part: For ex.- ample, at. the; edge; of a: terracewhich: is; say, anywhere from one foot to twozfeet, inheight. Thisis: due to: the: fact. that the step; ladders. now beingmarketed arezma-de to set.- onzl'evel; or.-sub-- stantia-lly level; places. Therefore;a step ladder. couldnot be used to. reach places abovestair steps; and above the edges of terraces.

However with: the: use of my invention in the form. ofa novel" step ladder; a person c.an:..reach:.

many. places which were: impossible to I reach by the step laddersznow. on the: marketi. 1

It is, therefore, an objectof myinventionto: provide a novel step. ladder: which; canv be. used: on stair steps; and other placesof: unevenzcontour.

Another object: 1am provide. a novelstepladderhaving; more. than twopairs: of legs.

Another: object is: to provide; an. auxiliary pair: oflegs" whereby the ladder canbe used onstair steps. I a

Another object is;to. provide an: auxiliary pair of legs in the form; of f a: short household-ladder. with couplingmeansthereon; so that anordinary ladder may be. coupled'thereto to,:form;a .novel.ladder which can be used on stair steps; and other uneven: places.

A further. object; is: to provide a: step, ladder with. two :pairszoffreanlegs; one pair being shorter. than the;- other pair, and; so; arranged: that either pair-can. beused dependinggupon .thezplace where. usage is desirable;

A still further. object. is:to provide. a step lad-- der with two pairs of. rearlegs, either of which can be moved into effective or ineffective positions and-retained in such positions.

A further object is to-providenovel spreading-J: means for 'my-step ladder: to compensate: ior'the; difierent pitches ofvarious stair steps;

Another object is to provides; step ladderrwit an auxiliary pair of adjustable front. legs;

Another object is: to provide adjustablea. step: brackets arranged to compensate for. the. grad-.- uallyincreasing distance' 'between; the; auxiliary front legs as they are extended: to .makezthe front: legs of the ladder longer thanthe reanlegs; wheres-- by the ladder can be used on stair 'stepswand; other: uneven places."

A iurtheitobj'ect isrtoproducezladder legs, .tuhulap" in shape; from flat" material; and having flanges formed thereon; for clamping purposes;

and also havingawingz portionsJbent iromsaid' flanges, to support ladder steps. Y

A further object is: to: provide a step ladder I with tubular telescoping legs formed fromflat material and arrangedwithappurtenances to clamp the telescoping-legs in any adjusted position, to' guide the two legs relative to each other while being adjusted; and to form supports rm the= laddersteps.

A still fu'rther object is w providea step l'adder Fig.1 shows one form. offmy novel step ladder in use on, stair. steps.

Fig. 2 shows the same l'ad'der. folded'.up..

. Fig, .3. is an. enlarged. top edgeview of. my, novel" ladder spreading. means in its. open. or. effective position. I

EigAis' a side elevation .oi. thesamespreading' means.-

: Fig.5 i'sa modifiediformof my. inventionshow ing auxiliary front legs consisting of a. short;

household-ladderv coupled. to. the regulaniront legs of. an ordinary, ladder.. a

Fig. 6/is. a front. view oithe ladder. oiFig. 5'.v

Fig. 7 is. an. enlarged. top view. oi the left side.

coupling-bracketior thelladd'er. of. Figs. 5' and 6.. Fig, 8- is;a. front. view. of said. coupling. bracket.v

Fig, 9:is aside elevationoisaid coupling bracket.

Fig, 10.is anotherinodifiediorm of my. inven,

tion showing, a. step ladderwith. auxiliary front.

andl back; legS..

V Fig, 1-1: is.- a. section on. line. |JI.--l-l. of Fig. 15... Fig-n12. is: an enlarged top view. of the. righ front leg; and its. auxiliary leg.

13.is'a SQti0Il=DI1z1ilflG I3---I3.v of Fig.. l5.' Fig. 1.4 is. a; section on line; I l-l4 of Fig, 15.

Figzjl5 is anrenlarged portion .oithe right. frontleggand its auxiliary leg, in; sideelevatiom.

Fig.- 16 shows how theladderlegsareattached.

to the top step ofthe ladder.

Fig;.17:is:-a,p1an view or theattachment-plug for securing the top step of the ladder to the ladder legs.

Fig. 18 is a side elevation of the same.

Fig. 19 is an enlarged View of the step supporting clamp for the extra steps for the auxiliary legs when in use.

Fig. 20 is an enlarged top view of the same.

Fig. 21 is an enlarged edge view showing how my novel spreading" means is attached to the tubular legs of the ladder shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 22 shows in reduced scale, the shape of the g blanked out material for forming the outer tubular front legs of the ladder shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 23 shows a portion, in enlarged scale, of one of the rear legs and its auxiliary legs ofthe' ladder of Fig. 10.

Fig. 24 shows how the steps are supported on their winged flange supports;

Detailed description the usual rivets or bolts 34.. .Pivoted at to the brackets 32 is a pair of rearlegs 36 of the usual length. These legs 36 are braced by the usual crossbars 31 and a bar 38.

-Attached by hinged brackets 40 to the to 8591x3115 appair of auxiliary. legs 4|. braced by cross bars 42 and a bar 43. The auxiliary legs 4| are shorter than the rear legs 36 so that the step ladder can be used on stair steps 44 or on other uneven places such as a terrace 45(shown in dot-and-dash -lines in Fig. l) rising from the normal ground level 46. I v

A utility shelf 41 is carried by the auxiliary legs 4| arid's'aid shelf is pivoted at 46 to the legs 4|. Arms'qatrthe shelf 41 contact the under side of the next to the top step 3| when the ladder is open and the shelf is down in effective position.

Since all stair steps do not'h'ave the same width of treads, ,which' accounts for stairs having different pitches, I have provided novel spreading means for my ladder to compensate for said varying pitches of different stair'st'eps. This is in addition to the adjustment afforded by the hingedbrackets' lfl; I

There are 'twospreading means, both identical. Oneconnects the right side front leg 36 with the right side auxiliary leg 4| Fig. 1, and the other spreading means connects'the left side front leg 30 with the left side auxiliary leg4| (Fig. 2); description of, one of 'these spreading means will sufiicefor both. l v v "This spreading means is shown in enlarged scale'in Figs. 3 and 4.. Pivoted at 50 to the front leg 30is a bar 5| having a series of holes 52. A

' U b'ar 53 or yoke embraces the bar 5| and is held"in position bya removable pin 54; This yoke 53"e x tends below the bar 5| and its ends are connected by a' shouldered stud or rivet 55 upon-which is pivoted a bar 56 which in' turn is pivoted to the auxiliary'leg 4| which is in the sameplane of the leg 30 to whichthebar 5| is pivoted: This spreading means-consisting of the bars 5| and 56 and the'yoke 53 may be len thened by pulling the pin 54 andadjusting the yoke-53 into alingnment with any of the series of holes5-2. Therefore, the spread of the ladder legs may be adjusted to suit-the conditions under which the ladder is being used, especially to take care of the'difierent pitches of various stair steps. I i Each of the rear legs 36 carries a latch "in the form of a hook 60 adapted to cooperate with a keeper 6| on the front legs 30 and keepers B2 on the auxiliary legs 4 When the ladder is used as shown in Fig. 1, the hooks 66 are latched in the keepers 6| thus maintaining the rear legs 36 adjacent the front legs 30.

vWhen theladder is used as here shown, the spreading means consisting of the bars 5| and 56 prevent the ladder from folding up.

When the ladder is used in the regular way,

then the hooks 60 are latched in the keepers 62 whereby the auxiliary legs 4| are maintained adjacent the rear legs 36 and the spreading bars 5|;and .5lifunction to hold the ladder legs the proper distance, apart and prevent the ladder from closing or folding up.

When" the ladder is folded up or closed, then the spreading bars 5| and 56 assume the position shown in Fig. 2.

. Modification The modified form'of my invention shown in Figs. 5 to 9 inclusive. is constructed so'that it can be used in the-regular manner and also so that itc'an be used on stair steps and other uneven places in the same manner as the ladder shown in Figs. 1 and2, when it is coupledto a short household-ladder to form one of the modificationsof' my invention. i I

This form of my invention includes a regular step ladder 69' having the usual front legs 10, steps 12 and rear legs 1|. It also'h'asa shelf 13. The front legs l0 and othe rear legs 1| are the same length. H

To make'this ladder'of :Figs.-:5"and 6 usable on stairsteps-BBsuch as shown in Fig. 5, the front legs 10 are'simply slipped into :apair of coupling brackets 14 (Fig.5, oneiright hand and one left hand), secured'to front legs .15 of a short household-ladden'by means of bolts or pin 16. The coupling brackets 14 have stop flanges 11 for the bottoms of the legs 10 to rest upon.

The legs 1150f the-short ladderl have the usual steps l8 which provide the auxiliary steps whereby 'a person may climb to the bottom, step 12 of the ladder legs '10. Rear legs 19' are provided for the shortladder and may be folded in as shown in Fig. or said legs 19. may be left: in open position (shown in dot-and-dashlines) if desirable; 0r'if the legs 19 are of the kind that do not fold up; then they will be inthe dot-and-dash line position; a r

Thus by providing a short household-ladder withsimple coupling brackets'lll the. ladder .69 maybe easily'attached thereto toprovide a novel step ladder which canbelused on stair steps 68 or such novel'ladder may be used in other places where the base, foundation or ground is .very uneven, or especially where aterrac'is involved.

" T Modification In Figs. 10 to .24'there isshown another modification of my .invention.. ;T,his modification is from a commonblank 92 (Fig. 22%, The-rear an inner tube leg 95, the latter being theaux} iliary-1eg.- a

The legs 90' ahd=' 94 eachhave secured in the top thereof a plug- 95 having-an car 91 A top step- 98- has bent over ends 99 and the front legs 99 are;secured-thereto by two bolts-or r-ivets I00.

The "rearlegs 94 are each s'ec-ured'to one of the ends 99. by a bolt'orstudfIM so that the rear legs carrpivot inorder to fold up the ladder when desirable. The rear legs-94 may be braced by 'two-bars I02 (Fig. connecting. them. across. the back. 1 i The spreading means forthisladder is -.iden.-... tical-withflthat-used with-the ladders ofsFigs. 1' and 5: and consists of: the. bars '5 hand 56,; yoke. 59and. pivot pin 55 The. bar ill-is pivoted. on a' stud I95 (Fig. 21.); carried by-aclamp.lll5iclam gd around: theleg- 99' (Fig. 10:).bymeans-of; a 0.91

:iategi reap leg 94;. V This ladder proVided with v the usual shelf H3 pivoted to the rear legs 94. Each leg 90 has several bent over ears I I5 (Figs. 12, 13 and 15) which slide in a slot IIB running the entire length of the auxiliaryleg 9I to act as a guide and clamping devices to retain the auxiliary leg 9| in any position into which it has been adjusted to lengthen the front legs of the ladder.

Adjacent the ears II5 are pairs of clamping flanges II! with bolts H8 and nuts II9 to draw the legs 90 tightly around the auxiliary leg 9| whereby the ears H5 are caused to also bite in the slot I II; to prevent any possible slipping upwardly of the auxiliary leg 9| when the same has been extended below the leg 99 to lengthen the front legs of the ladder.

There are as many pairs of clamping flange III as there are to be steps in the ladder, and therefore these flanges II! have bent over wings I to carry steps I2I which may be secured to said wings by bolts I23 andnuts I 24. These wings I20 have slots I25 to provide for slight endwise adjustment of the steps I2I when assembling.

The rear legs 94 have ears I26 (Fig. 23) arranged at the proper intervals to cooperate with a slot I21 in the auxiliary leg 95 so that it too may be extended below the leg 94 if desirable.

The legs 94 have clamping flanges I28 like the flanges I I1 and they are for the same purpose of carrying bolts and nuts to clamp the legs 94 and 95 securely together in any position in which they may be adjusted relatively to each other.

Should the auxiliary legs 9| be extended to such a distance that the bottom step I2I on the legs 90 is too far from the ground, then an additional step or steps may be necessary. In this event I have provided an auxiliary support for such steps, which support i in the form of a collar I30 (Figs. 10, 19 and 20) having a clamping and guiding ear I3I to ride in the slot IIB. This ear I3I is like the ears H5 and is for the same purpose as explained. I

The collar I39 also has a pair of clamping flanges I32 withv wings I33 to carry an auxiliary step I34 (Fig. 10) in the same manner as the step I2I is carried by the wings I II.

In making the tubular legs 99, the blank 92 is first made as shown in Fig. 22. The reference numbers applied thereto are the same as the corresponding bent parts on the finished and formed th a a-dd f leg-90. The ears :5. arebentin, on the-lines.

the wings IZZOrarebenton the lines. I42; The? blank 92 i formed: into a cylindrical or tubular leg. -which= leaves. a narrow slit..l4.4ias shown in Figs. l1 and 15. H

- From the above illustrations and: descriptions it canv be. clearly seen. that all. three. of. my'forms. of ladders are very useful for the. same. purpose, that is the particular usein. connection with. stair steps: and other uneven surfaces. where. the. usualand ordinary ladders cannotpossibly-be used; and. for this-reason. my. invention supplies; a much needed article.

- While the. forms of' de'vices. hereindescribedzande illustrated are. admirably. adapted to fulfil-the. ob jects primarily stated, it isto be: understood that I'do not wishtolimit myinvention tothe particm.

larand-specific forms shown in. the embodiments:

illustrated, for it; is susceptible of embodimentim various forms, all: coming within the=scope of the claims. which follow.

What I?claim is: Inaia. step ladder, thecombination ofzxtwo.

3 pairs, of legs; one pair. being pivotally mounted for movement relatively to the other pair; a third pair of legs pivotally mounted adjacent the pivot of said one pair, said third pair of legs adapted to be moved relatively to said other pair of legs by said one pair of legs when the latter is moved relatively to said other pair of legs, said third pair of legs being also movable relatively to said two pairs of legs; a latch device carried by said one pair of legs and adapted to connect said twopairs of legs together and also adapted to connect said one pair of legs to said third pair of legs; and ladder spreading means operable by said third pair of legs to spread the third pair of legs from said other pair of legs when the third pair of legs is moved relatively to said two pairs of legs when said latch connects said two pairs of legs together,

2. In a step ladder having a pair of front legs, a pair of middle leg pivotally mounted for movement relatively to said front legs, and a third pair of legs pivotally mounted adjacent the pivotal mounting of the middle legs for movement relatively to the front legs and relatively to the middle legs, said third pair of legs also movable with the middle legs; latching means adapted to latch the front and middle pairs of legs together and also adapted to latch the middle and third pairs of legs together; and ladder spreading means in a non-spreading position when the ladder is closed and adapted to be moved into effective spreading position by the third pair of legs when said third pair is moved relatively to the middle legs and relatively to the front legs, when said front and middle pairs of legs are latched together said spreading means also adapted to be moved into effective spreading position by the middle legs when the latter are moved relatively to the front legs when said middle and third pairs of legs are latched together.

3. In a step ladder adapted for normal use and for use on stair steps of varying pitches, said ladder including a pair of front legs, a pair of rear legs pivotally mounted for movement relatively to said front legs, and a pair of auxiliary legs pivotally mounted for movement relatively to said front legs and relatively to said rear legs and also for movement with said rear legs; ladder spreading means connected to the pair of front legs and to the pair of auxiliary legs; and a latch device to connect the pair of rear legs to the pair of front legs to prevent relative movement between said rear legs and said front legs when the auxiliary legs are moved relatively to both thefront legs and the rear legs to render the ladder usable on stair steps and to connect said pair of rear legs to the pair of auxiliary legs to render the spreading effective to properly spread the rear legs from the front legs when the ladder is'used in the normal manner.

. 4. A step ladder having two regular pairs of legs for normal use, one of said pairs of legs being pivotally mounted for movement relatively to the other pair of legs, and including an additional pair of legs pivoted adjacent the regular pair of legs and movable relatively to said one pair of legs to render the'ladder usable on stair steps and other uneven places, and movable with said one pair of legs when the latter is moved to render the ladder normally usable; adjustable spreading means pivotally connected to said other pair of the regular legs and to the additional pair of legs and adapted to be effective with either of said usages of the ladder; and means to connect the two regular pairs of legs together to render said one pair of legs ineffective when the ladder is used on stair steps, and also adapted to connect the last mentioned one pair of legs to the additional pair of legs when the ladder is in normal use to render the adjustable spreading means eff ective for normal use of the ladder.

5. In a step ladder having a pair of front legs, a pair of middle legspivotally mounted for movement'relatively to said front legs, and a third pair of legs pivotally mounted adjacent the pivotal mounting of they middle legs for movement relatively to the front legs and relatively to the middle legs, said third pair of legs also movable with the middle legs; ladder spreading means connecting the pair of front legs and the third pair of legs and being in a non-spreading position when the ladder is closed and adapted to be moved into effective spreading position by the middle legs when the latter are moved relatively to the front legs and a connecting device to connect the front and middle pairs of legs to cause the spreading means to be 'movedinto effective position by 

